It was one year ago today when David Bednar was selected the Pittsburgh Pirates nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.

On Friday, the Pirates’ all-star closer again was nominated for one of MLB’s most prestigious honors.

David Bednar is our 2023 Roberto Clemente Award nominee! ???? pic.twitter.com/N9NhLpoXuM

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 8, 2023

The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes a major league player who best represents the game “through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” Each team nominates one player to be considered for the award in tribute to the Pirates Hall of Fame right fielder’s achievements and character.

Bednar, 28, is 3-2 this season with a 1.98 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 33 saves in 36 opportunities. He has allowed 47 hits and 13 earned runs over 59 innings and 57 appearances with 66 strikeouts and 16 walks, limiting opponents to a .218 batting average.

The Mars native is a two-time MLB All-Star who has worked to make an impact in the Pittsburgh community.

Some of Bednar’s charitable initiatives include:

• Working with Allegheny Health Network on Chill Mobile, an RV that provides a calming space for students to help improve mental health. Bednar visited nine local schools, impacting more than 2,700 students throughout the offseason and discussing how he copes with stress as the Pirates’ closer.

• In November, he joined the Pirates community team and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for a Thanksgiving dinner distribution event to provide more than 300 local families with a proper meal for the holiday.

• He helped lead a donation effort of more than 500 canned goods for Light of Life Rescue Mission, a Pittsburgh-area homeless shelter.

• Bednar offers support for local Miracle Leagues, which celebrated 15 years in western Pennsylvania. The Pirates and Pirates Charities held events throughout the season, and Bednar was a part of all of them, including three Miracle League fantasy camp events held for approximately 120 athletes with unique abilities.

• He joined the Pirates and Pirates Charities in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month by hosting the second annual Pirates Charities Family Walk at PNC Park.

• Bednar also worked with Lending Hearts, which supports families impacted by pediatric cancer, through financial support and visits to local patients. In July, he hosted a clinic at PNC Park for current Lending Hearts patients and their siblings, teaching them basic baseball skills.

Fans can vote online here.

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